Clear-up underway after Storm Dennis

Highways teams have been flat out over the weekend dealing with issues thrown up by the latest winter storm.

Storm Dennis caused more flooding incidents than those seen during Storm Ciara the previous weekend and a number of issues are still affecting some local roads.

Crews are out clearing trees, landslips and debris from roads, as well as clearing gullies and drains.

The A377 is blocked by a fallen tree at Colleton Mills and partially blocked by a landslide at Half Moon, where temporary traffic lights are in place. The B3213 Dunsford Hill remains closed until further notice due to a major landslide and the A383 at The Dartmoor Halfway Inn is closed due to flooding.

Efforts are also being made to clear a landslide on the B3193 Teign Valley Road near Trusham Quarry in order to try and re-open it later today, and teams are also dealing with a landslip at Marine Parade in Shaldon.

While a number of flood warnings and flood alerts remain in force, there are currently no severe flood warnings for Devon.

Several roads were impassable over the weekend as numerous rivers burst banks and drains were deluged by rain for 48 hours.

The B3176 near Sidmouth and A384 near Buckfastleigh were closed on Saturday due to floodwater but both re-opened on Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday saw fallen trees blocking the A39 at Shirwell near Arlington Court, A386 at Meeth, B3181 Exeter Road at Cullompton near Padbrook, A3072 Bow to North Tawton, A379 between Shaldon and Maidencombe, and B3196 California Cross near Modbury. A dry stone wall also collapsed onto the A382 between Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Storm Dennis has left a trail of devastation this weekend, with a huge number of flooded roads, landslides and more trees down across the county. Our dedicated teams have been extremely busy working in hazardous conditions dealing with as many of these as possible. They are still working on clean-up operations today, but due to the extent of the damage it may take some time to get everything back to normal. There may still be debris and flood water across our road network so we would urge everyone to continue to take extra care when out on our roads.”

Strong winds are expected to continue for parts of Devon today, but it will gradually ease. However, scattered showers, which may be heavy at times, are forecast throughout the rest of this week.

For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel